Trace elements concentrations in selected moss and lichen species collected within Antarctic research stations

The Antarctic region has been considered as a region the least exposed to the pollution. However, increase of human activities at the research stations, transportation and tourism threaten the natural environment of this region. The paper reports the contents of selected trace elements in lichen and moss samples collected in the interior parts of several Antarctic research stations located on King George Island (South Shetlands, maritime Antarctica). Lichens and mosses are particularly sensitive to a athropogenic environmental changes, especially to air pollution. Moss Sanionia uncinata and lichens – Usnea antarctica and Usnea aurantiaco-atra were chosen as bioindicators. The amount of ten trace metals (vanadium, chromium, manganese, copper, zinc, lead, rubidium, strontium, yttrium, and cadmium) and bromine was measured in thalli using the analytical PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) method. The results obtained for the samples originating from research stations were compared with the data obtained for the samples of same species collected in the area distant from any human activities. For the samples from Antarctic stations the average contents of trace elements (in μg g–1 d.w., mean ± SD) were as follows: S. uncinata – V 27 ± 22, Cr 7 ± 2, Mn 256 ± 95, Cu 11 ± 3, Zn 33 ± 4, Pb 9 ± 6, Br 40 ± 22, Rb 14 ± 11, Sr 69 ± 25; U. antarctica – V 28 ± 31, Cr 3 ± 1, Mn 53 ± 18, Cu 10 ± 4, Zn 30 ± 1, Pb 2 ± 1, Br 40 ± 16, Sr 18 ± 4, Y 4 ± 2; U. aurantiaco-atra – V 7 ± 6, Cr 6 ± 3, Mn 59 ± 35, Cu 66 ± 33, Zn 27 ± 5, Pb 5 ± 1, Br 30 ± 15, Sr 32 ± 20, Y 3 ± 3. The average concentrations of Cr, Mn and Pb in all samples from research stations demonstrated significant differences in relation to the reference material. The maximal concentrations of measured elements obtained in the samples from potentially polluted areas were as a rule much higher (~120–3800%) in comparison with the concentrations in the control group. This observation is especially worrying. These results point out that the human influence on the Antarctic environment may be negative and indicate the necessity for pollution monitoring programmes in the region. This research is a part of biomonitoring recommended by SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research).